Method And Apparatus For Satellite Television Service With Alternate Delivery Capabilities

ABSTRACT

A distribution system for transmitting media content programs to premises equipment via a satellite transmission path addresses signal degradation caused by atmospheric conditions and other factors. Upon detection of a degradation of the satellite signal, the system may begin transmitting the content using an alternative signal path, such as a terrestrial IP network. The satellite transmission path is brought back on line after the satellite link is restored. Alternatively, the system may begin recording the signal in the media distribution system for transmission via the satellite link after the link is restored.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No.15/704,309, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SATELLITE TELEVISIONSERVICE WITH ALTERNATE DELIVERY CAPABILITIES,” filed on Sep. 14, 2017,which is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 15/040,644,entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SATELLITE TELEVISION SERVICE WITHALTERNATE DELIVERY CAPABILITIES,” filed on Feb. 10, 2016, issued on Oct.24, 2017 as U.S. Pat. No. 9,800,915, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the delivery of mediacontent using a satellite distribution network. Specifically, thedisclosure relates to the delivery of media content under atmospheric orother conditions that interfere with or degrade a satellite signal.

BACKGROUND

The broadcast of television and multimedia signals using satellite linkshas expanded steadily in recent years. Satellite television providerscan offer a large number of high quality channels without requiringadditional terrestrial infrastructure. Providing reliability in asatellite broadcasting system is therefore an important goal ofsatellite broadcast providers.

Historically used frequency bands (L, S, C, or Ku bands) for satelliteservices have gradually become congested, leading to the use of higherfrequency bands such as the Ka-band (20-30 GHz). The Ku- and Ka-bandsare now used for a significant portion of multimedia communications. TheKa-band provides a larger bandwidth than is available at lowerfrequencies, and most satellite communications providers are movingtoward utilization of that frequency band.

Ka-band, however, is more susceptible to rain and atmosphericattenuation than are the lower frequency bands, because the resonantfrequency of molecular water vapor absorption is located within theband, at 22.3 GHz. The resulting signal fading causes random bit errorsand also causes the transmission operation to be completely lost forshort periods of time. The signal attenuation usually occurs in smallgeographic areas (2-8 km in diameter) relative to the footprint of thetransmission-beam, which may be approximately 650 km in diameter.Reception quality and channel conditions may therefore vary fromsubscriber station to subscriber station.

In response to demand for additional bandwidth, commercial satellitesystem designers are considering even higher frequency bands, includingthe V-band (40-75 GHz), which is currently being used for militaryapplications. While providing greatly increased bandwidth, those higherfrequencies suffer from more severe multi-path fading and scattering oftransmitted signals.

Customers of satellite television services may therefore experiencebrief service outages due to adverse weather conditions. The term “rainfade” is commonly used to describe the attenuated signal and noticeabledegradation of image quality. That degradation can be caused by rain,snow, ice, etc. In some cases, the signal is fully disrupted and thecustomer experiences a total loss of the viewing channel. Customers mustwait until the weather clears and the signal is returned to normal. Thatcan be very discouraging to customers who may be enjoying a favoritetelevision program or sporting event only to have the broadcastinterrupted by a loss of signal.

There is therefore a need to improve the reliability and quality ofservice of satellite broadcasting services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure can be readily understood by considering thefollowing detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a satellite media distribution systemaccording to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method according to aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing a sequence of communications accordingto aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a method according to another embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing another sequence of communicationsaccording to aspects of the present disclosure.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The disclosed system and method improve the viewing experience forcustomers of satellite content providers by providing an alternate,failover path to be initiated when the satellite link experiences aservice outage due to adverse weather conditions or other causes.

In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is providedfor transmitting a subject media content program to premises equipment.The method is performed by a media distribution network server. Aplurality of media content programs is transmitted to the premisesequipment via a satellite transmission path. Those media contentprograms include the subject media program.

A first message is received from the premises equipment indicating adegradation of the satellite transmission path. That first messageincludes an identification of the subject media content program. Inresponse to receiving the first message from the premises equipment, afirst action is performed including transmitting the subject mediacontent program to the premises equipment using one of an alternativetransmission medium or an alternative transmission time.

A second message is then received from the premises equipment, thesecond message indicating a recovery of the satellite transmission path.In response to receiving the second message from the premises equipment,a second action is performed including discontinuing performance of atleast a portion of the first action.

In embodiments, performing the first action comprises transmitting thesubject media content program using the alternative transmission medium.In that case, performing the second action comprises discontinuingtransmitting the subject media content program using the alternativetransmission medium and resuming transmitting the plurality of mediacontent programs including the subject media content program to thepremises equipment using the satellite transmission path.

In other embodiments, performing the first action comprises transmittingthe subject media content program using the alternative transmissiontime. That is done by making a recording of the subject media contentprogram beginning after receiving the first message from the premisesequipment indicating a degradation of the satellite transmission path.In that case, performing the second action comprises discontinuingmaking the recording of the subject media content program andtransmitting the recording of the subject media content program to thepremises equipment using the satellite transmission path.

In other aspects of the disclosure, a computer-readable storage deviceis provided having stored thereon computer readable instructionstransmitting a subject media content program to a premises equipment,wherein execution of the computer readable instructions by a processorcauses the processor to perform operations including receiving a firstmessage from the premises equipment indicating a degradation of asatellite transmission path, the first message including anidentification of a subject media content program; in response toreceiving the first message from the premises equipment, performing afirst action including transmitting the subject media content program tothe premises equipment using one of an alternative transmission mediumor an alternative transmission time; receiving a second message from thepremises equipment indicating a recovery of the satellite transmissionpath; and, in response to receiving the second message from the premisesequipment, performing a second action including discontinuingperformance of at least a portion of the first action.

In another embodiment, a media content satellite distribution system isprovided. The system includes premises equipment, a media distributionnetwork server including a processor, a satellite network connectionconnecting the media distribution network server with the premisesequipment, and a computer-readable storage device having stored thereoncomputer readable instructions for transmitting a subject media contentprogram to a premises equipment. Execution of the computer readableinstructions by a processor causes the processor to perform operationsincluding receiving a first message from the premises equipmentindicating a degradation of a satellite transmission path, the firstmessage including an identification of a subject media content programcurrently being watched or recorded using the premises equipment; and,in response to receiving the first message from the premises equipment,performing a first action including transmitting the subject mediacontent program to the premises equipment using one of an alternativetransmission medium or an alternative transmission time. The operationsfurther include receiving a second message from the premises equipmentindicating a recovery of the satellite transmission path; and, inresponse to receiving the second message from the premises equipment,performing a second action including discontinuing performance of atleast a portion of the first action.

An exemplary satellite media content distribution system 100 inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to FIG. 1. A video distribution network 105 includescontent acquisition and storage servers, programming and subscriptionservers and satellite transmission equipment. The video distributionnetwork 105 is connected with a satellite 110 by a satellite uplink 106.The satellite 110 is typically in a geosynchronous orbit andcommunicates with terrestrial equipment via the uplink 106 and adownlink 111 that utilize RF signals commonly in the microwave frequencyband.

The downlink 111 connects the satellite 110 with a satellite receivingunit 115 that may include a set top box and a receiving antennatypically located on a subscriber's premises. As used herein, the term“premises equipment” refers to communications equipment deployed at asubscriber's premises, including the satellite receiving unit 115. Thepremises equipment may also include media viewing equipment and mediarecording/storage equipment. The downlink may comprise one or moretransmission beams, each having a footprint diameter on the order of1000 km. Each transmission beam therefore serves a large number ofsatellite receiving units 115 located within the beam footprint atsubscribers' premises.

The satellite receiving unit 115 and the video distribution network 105may also be interconnected via a terrestrial network such as the IPnetwork 120. The IP network may connect to the satellite receiving unit115 via a cable network, an optical fiber network, a hybrid (HFC)network, a wireless data network such as a long term evolution (LTE)network, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or another dataconnection. The IP network connection 120 may be an existing connectionused as a return channel for the satellite network, or as a feedbackchannel. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, no network120 is available.

As shown in the flowchart 200 depicting a method according toembodiments of the present disclosure, upon starting (block 210) contentdelivery, the satellite receiving unit 115 continuously monitors (block215) the incoming satellite signal in order to detect a degradation ofthe signal. As noted above, the signal may degrade locally due toatmospheric conditions, resulting in the detection of degradation in asubset of the subscriber premises within a beam footprint, while othersubscriber premises in the footprint continue to receive a non-degradedsignal. By monitoring the received signal at the premises equipment,variations in signal degradation within the beam footprint are accountedfor.

The degradation or loss of a signal is detected (block 220) based on aparameter such as a received forward error bit count. The parameter maybe a threshold set by the satellite service provider based on acceptableQoS metrics. Alternatively, the threshold parameter may be set based ona subscription level chosen by the subscriber, with lower errorthresholds being available for additional cost to the subscriber.

Upon detection of a signal degradation, the premises equipment transmitsto a video distribution network server in the video distribution networka first message (block 225) indicating the degradation of the signal.The message also includes an identification of a channel of channelscurrently being watched or recorded by the premises equipment.

The first message may be transmitted using a return transmission path tothe satellite itself. In that case, the detection of the signaldegradation must be made sufficiently in advance of total loss of signalin order to insure that sufficient transmission capability remains totransmit the first message. Such an arrangement assumes a somewhatgradual degradation of the signal, which is normally the case withatmospheric interference.

Alternatively, the first message may be transmitted from the premisesequipment to the video distribution network server using an alternatetransmission medium such as the terrestrial IP network 120 (FIG. 1).Because of its low bandwidth requirements, the first message mayalternatively be transmitted via a PSTN or another low-bandwidth medium.In either case, the message may then be transmitted regardless of thecondition of the satellite link.

In response to receiving the first message, the video distributionnetwork server performs a first action (block 235, FIG. 2). The firstaction includes using an alternative to transmit the content that wascurrently being watched or recorded. The alternative may be analternative transmission medium or may be an alternative transmissiontime, as discussed in more detail below.

The premises receiving unit continues to monitor the satellite signalquality and makes a determination (block 240) that the signal hasrecovered. That determination may be made based on the same thresholdused for determining that there was a degradation of signal (block 220),or a different threshold or metric may be used.

Upon signal recovery, the premises receiving unit transmits a secondmessage (block 245) to the video distribution network server indicatingthat the satellite signal is acceptable. That transmission may be madeusing the recovered satellite link, or may be transmitted via analternative path such as the terrestrial IP network 120. Upon receivingthe second message, the video distribution network server performs asecond action (block 240) that includes discontinuing at least a portionof the first action.

Details of embodiments of the disclosure that may be used with a systemin which an alternative transmission medium, such as the IP network 120of FIG. 1, is available will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3and 4. Upon starting content delivery (block 310), the satellitereceiving unit 115 monitors (block 315) the incoming satellite signalfor signal degradation. The degradation or loss of a signal is detected(block 320) using a threshold metric as discussed above.

When the premises equipment detects a loss or degradation of the signal,it determines which channel or channels were being viewed or recorded atthe time that the determination was made. That information istransmitted (block 325) from the premises equipment to a videodistribution network server in the video distribution network 105 in amessage indicating that the signal degradation or loss has occurred. Atthe video distribution network server, a lookup is performed (block 330)that correlates the lost channel(s) with content programming on thatchannel.

Authentication information is then provided (block 335) to the videodistribution network server by the premises equipment, or is retrievedby the video distribution network server based on an identity of thepremises equipment. The authentication information identifies thepremises equipment as being associated with a satellite servicesubscription, and is used to prevent fraud. The authenticationinformation may also indicate that a subscriber subscribes to a backupdelivery service. Where multiple grades of the backup delivery serviceare available, the authentication information identifies the servicegrade. For example, a number of threshold minimum satellite receptionquality levels may be available, below which the backup delivery serviceis activated. In another example, a number of backup media streamresolutions may be available, such as 1080, 720 and 480 lineresolutions. Backup delivery service subscriptions may be pricedaccording to such parameters. In such cases, the authenticationinformation contains subscription information reflecting thoseparameters.

The video distribution network server then causes an alternate mediastream to be transmitted to the premises equipment using the alternativetransmission medium, such as the IP network 120 of FIG. 1. The alternatemedia stream contains those channels determined (block 325) to have beenrecorded or viewed at the time of the signal degradation. The alternatemedia stream may be transmitted by the video distribution network as anIP packet stream. The video distribution network server mayalternatively cause another service or entity to stream the content. Inany case, the alternative media stream utilizes a transport medium thatis unaffected by the degradation of the satellite link.

The alternative media stream is then displayed by the premises equipment(block 340). In embodiments, the alternative media stream is initiatedto begin transmission at a point in the content where the satellitesignal was degraded or was lost. In that way, a subscriber may continueto watch or record a program with a minimum of disturbance. In the casewhere the satellite signal degrades gradually and the system can preparefor the transmission, it is expected that the subscriber will experiencelittle or no interruption in viewing.

With the alternative signal being received at the premises via thealternative transmission medium, the premises equipment continues tomonitor the satellite signal (block 345) to determine whether the signalhas recovered. As with monitoring for signal degradation, the premisesequipment may use threshold values to determine a point at which thesignal has recovered sufficiently to reinstate satellite viewing. Whenthat point is reached (block 350), transmission of the alternativesignal is discontinued and the alternative signal is replaced with therecovered satellite signal (block 355). The system resumes monitoringthe satellite signal for degradation (block 315).

A sequence of messages among the various network elements of the systemand method disclosed with reference to FIG. 3 is illustrated in thetiming chart 400 shown in FIG. 4. A broadcast 410 is transmitted by thesatellite 110 to the receiving unit 115 located at a premises. One ormore channels of the broadcast may be of interest to a subscriberbecause they are being watched or recorded using premises equipment.During the broadcast, a full or partial signal loss 415 occurs as aresult of atmospheric conditions such as rain damping and raindepolarization. A message 420 is then sent by the receiving unit 115 tothe video distribution system 105 via the IP network, indicating thatthe signal is degraded and identifying the channel or channels ofinterest that are being watched or recorded.

An authentication 425 is performed by the video distribution system 105to validate the subscriber and, in some embodiments, determine a levelof alternate media delivery service to which the subscriber issubscribed. After the subscriber is authenticated, the particularchannel or channels being watched or recorded are streamed via an IPstream 430 from the video distribution system 105 to the receiving unit115. The stream 430 preferably begins at a point in the content wherethe signal loss 415 occurred. The streamed channel is received by thereceiving unit 115 and is watched or recorded using premises equipment.

At a later point in time, the signal broadcast by the satellite 110 isrestored, and the restored signal 435 is detected by the receiving unit115. The receiving unit then makes preparations 440 to switch back toviewing and/or recording the restored satellite signal. Once thereceived satellite signal has been substituted for the streamedchannels, a message 445 is sent to from the receiving unit 115 to thevideo distribution system 105 to cease streaming the channels, and thevideo distribution system 105 stops the transmission 450.

An alternative method 500, shown in FIG. 5, may be implemented in caseswhere an alternative, relatively high bandwidth transmission medium suchas the IP network 120 is not required. This embodiment may be used, forexample, in remote areas where no terrestrial communicationsinfrastructure is available, or in cases where a subscriber chooses notto be connected to a terrestrial communications network. In theembodiment, the subject media content is transmitted using analternative transmission time.

Upon starting content delivery (block 510), the satellite receiving unit115 monitors (block 515) the incoming satellite signal for signaldegradation. The degradation or loss of a signal is detected (block 520)using a threshold metric as discussed above.

Upon the detection of a degradation or loss of signal, the satellitereceiving unit launches a request (block 525) to re-route the signal tobe recorded by a storage facility such as a cloud storage facility. Thesignal that is recorded comprises channels that were being watched orrecorded using the premises equipment at the time of the signaldegradation. If channels or programs were scheduled for later recording,and the satellite link is not restored before the recording isscheduled, then those channels or programs may also be included in thesignal to be recorded. The storing facility records the program onlywhile service is interrupted.

As the rerouted programs are being recorded by the storing facility, thesatellite receiving unit continues to monitor the satellite signal(block 530). When a determination is made that the signal is restored(block 535), the satellite receiving unit notifies the storing facility(block 540) and discontinues rerouting the signal to the storagefacility. The storing facility then discontinues the recording andtransmits the recorded portion of the program(s) (block 545) via therestored satellite link to the satellite receiving unit. The programtransmission therefore effectively takes place at an alternative, latertime, when the satellite link has been recovered.

Additionally, upon the determination that the signal is restored (block535), the satellite receiving unit at the subscriber's premises beginsrecording the remaining portions of the program(s) of interest so thatthe programs can be watched in chronological order once the signal isrestored. In particular, once satellite service is restored and thefirst portion of a program stored by the cloud storage facility istransmitted to the satellite receiving unit, the subscriber may beginwatching the program in chronological order, first watching the firstportion, which was recorded by the cloud storage facility, and thenwatching a second portion, which was recorded by the premises equipmentafter the satellite services were restored. The viewing transitionbetween the first and second recorded portions of the program may beautomatic and transparent to the subscriber.

A sequence of messages among the various network elements illustratingthe method 500 of FIG. 5 is illustrated in the timing chart 600 shown inFIG. 6. A broadcast 610 is transmitted by the satellite 110 to thereceiving unit 115 located at a premises. During the broadcast, a fullor partial signal loss 615 occurs as a result of atmospheric or otherconditions. A message 620 is then sent by the receiving unit 115 to thevideo distribution system 105 via the IP network, indicating that thesignal is degraded and identifying which channel or channels are beingwatched or recorded.

In response to receiving the message 620, the video distribution system105 begins transmitting a stream 625 containing the channel or channelsbeing watched or recorded to a cloud storage facility 130. The stream625 may be transmitted via a terrestrial IP network. The storagefacility 130 may be collocated with the video distribution system 105 ormay be a storage facility in the cloud. The program content contained inthe stream 625 preferably begins at a point in the content where thesignal loss 615 occurred. The stream 625 is received and recorded by thecloud storage facility 130.

At a later point in time, the signal broadcast by the satellite 110 isrestored, and the restored signal 630 is detected 635 by the receivingunit 115. Upon detection of the restored signal 630 by the receivingunit 115, the receiving unit at the promises begins recording thechannel or channels being watched or recorded at the time that thesignal was lost. Upon detection of the restored signal 630, thereceiving unit 115 also sends a message 640 to the video distributionsystem 105 indicating that the satellite signal is restored. In responseto receiving the message 640, the video distribution system 105discontinues transmission 645 of the media stream to the cloud storagefacility 130. The recorded portions of the media programs are thentransmitted 650 to the receiving unit 115.

After completion of the sequence 600, the receiving unit 115 hascomplete recorded copies of the programs on each of the subjectchannels. Those programs may be watched in chronological order by firstwatching the portion recorded at the cloud storage facility 130, andthen watching the portion recorded at the receiving unit 115. As theprograms are watched, transition between the two portions is automaticand transparent to the subscriber.

The disclosed systems and methods function to allow satellite service tobe viewed without gaps in the program, even after an interruption causedby signal degradation. The technique may be used both for channels beingviewed and for channels being recorded on a DVR collocated in thepremises with the satellite receiving unit.

The above-described service maybe offered by a satellite serviceprovider as an optional alternate delivery service, and the subscribermay be billed a monthly fee for the services. Several differentiatedlevels of the service maybe offered to a subscriber. For example,services may be differentiated based on a minimum threshold quality ofservice, below which the alternate delivery service is triggered. Theservices may also be differentiated based on a quality or resolution ofthe programs recorded by the storage facility and transmitted to thepremises equipment.

The hardware and the various network elements discussed above compriseone or more processors, together with input/output capability andcomputer readable storage devices having computer readable instructionsstored thereon that, when executed by the processors, cause theprocessors to perform various operations. The processors may bededicated processors, or may be mainframe computers, desktop or laptopcomputers or any other device or group of devices capable of processingdata. The processors are configured using software according to thepresent disclosure.

Each of the hardware elements also includes memory that functions as adata memory that stores data used during execution of programs in theprocessors, and is also used as a program work area. The memory may alsofunction as a program memory for storing a program executed in theprocessors. The program may reside on any tangible, non-volatilecomputer-readable storage device as computer readable instructionsstored thereon for execution by the processor to perform the operations.

Generally, the processors are configured with program modules thatinclude routines, objects, components, data structures and the like thatperform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.The term “program” as used herein may connote a single program module ormultiple program modules acting in concert. The disclosure may beimplemented on a variety of types of computers, including personalcomputers (PCs), hand-held devices, multi-processor systems,microprocessor-based programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,mini-computers, mainframe computers and the like, and may employ adistributed computing environment, where tasks are performed by remoteprocessing devices that are linked through a communications network. Ina distributed computing environment, modules may be located in bothlocal and remote memory storage devices.

An exemplary processing module for implementing the methodology abovemay be stored in a separate memory that is read into a main memory of aprocessor or a plurality of processors from a computer readable storagedevice such as a ROM or other type of hard magnetic drive, opticalstorage, tape or flash memory. In the case of a program stored in amemory media, execution of sequences of instructions in the modulecauses the processor to perform the process operations described herein.The embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to anyspecific combination of hardware and software.

The term “computer-readable medium” as employed herein refers to atangible, non-transitory machine-encoded medium that provides orparticipates in providing instructions to one or more processors. Forexample, a computer-readable medium may be one or more optical ormagnetic memory disks, flash drives and cards, a read-only memory or arandom access memory such as a DRAM, which typically constitutes themain memory. The terms “tangible media” and “non-transitory media” eachexclude transitory signals such as propagated signals, which are nottangible and are not non-transitory. Cached information is considered tobe stored on a computer-readable medium. Common expedients ofcomputer-readable media are well-known in the art and need not bedescribed in detail here.

The forgoing detailed description is to be understood as being in everyrespect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scopeof the disclosure herein is not to be determined from the description,but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadthpermitted by the patent laws. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, theterms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect mountings,connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled”are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.It is to be understood that various modifications will be implemented bythose skilled in the art, without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for transmitting a subject media contentprogram to a premises equipment, comprising: by a media distributionnetwork server, receiving authentication information from the premisesequipment indicating that the premises equipment is associated with asatellite service subscription and is further associated with a backupdelivery service subscription designating a threshold minimum satellitereception quality level associated with a satellite transmission path tothe premises equipment and further designating a backup media streamresolution associated with the premises equipment; by the mediadistribution network server, transmitting to the premises equipment, viathe satellite transmission path, a plurality of media content programsincluding the subject media content program; by the media distributionnetwork server, receiving a first message from the premises equipmentindicating that a satellite reception quality level of the satellitetransmission path is below the threshold minimum satellite receptionquality level associated with the premises equipment, the first messageincluding an identification of the subject media content program; by themedia distribution network server, in response to receiving the firstmessage from the premises equipment and to receiving the authenticationinformation, transmitting the subject media content program to thepremises equipment using a terrestrial network, the transmitting beingat the backup media stream resolution associated with the premisesequipment; by the media distribution network server, receiving a secondmessage from the premises equipment indicating that the satellitereception quality level of the satellite transmission path is above thethreshold minimum satellite reception quality level; and by the mediadistribution network server, in response to receiving the second messagefrom the premises equipment, discontinuing the transmitting of thesubject media content program to the premises equipment using theterrestrial network.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: bythe media distribution network server, receiving a selection of thebackup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment,the selection being from a plurality of available backup media streamresolutions.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the backup deliveryservice is priced according to the backup media stream resolution. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein the backup media stream resolutionassociated with the premises equipment is selected from a group of lineresolutions consisting of 1080, 720 and 480 line resolutions.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the backup delivery service is pricedaccording to the threshold minimum satellite reception quality level. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein the terrestrial network comprises one ormore media selected from a group consisting of a land-based Internetprotocol network, a wireless 4G long term evolution (LTE) network, aland-based cable network, a land-based fiber network and a land-basedhybrid fiber/cable (HFC) network.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinreceiving the first and second messages further comprises receiving thefirst and second messages via the terrestrial network.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the threshold minimum satellite reception quality levelis a rate parameter based on received forward error bits.
 9. The methodof claim 1, wherein the subject media content program is a programcurrently being viewed using the premises equipment.
 10. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the subject media content program is a programcurrently being recorded or scheduled to be recorded using the premisesequipment.
 11. A computer-readable storage device having stored thereoncomputer readable instructions for transmitting a subject media contentprogram to a premises equipment, wherein execution of the computerreadable instructions by a processor causes the processor to performoperations comprising: receiving authentication information from thepremises equipment indicating that the premises equipment is associatedwith a satellite service subscription and is further associated with abackup delivery service subscription designating a threshold minimumsatellite reception quality level associated with a satellitetransmission path to the premises equipment and further designating abackup media stream resolution associated with the premises equipment;transmitting to the premises equipment, via the satellite transmissionpath, the subject media content program; receiving a first message fromthe premises equipment indicating that a satellite reception qualitylevel of the satellite transmission path is below the threshold minimumsatellite reception quality level associated with the premisesequipment, the first message including an identification of the subjectmedia content program; in response to receiving the first message fromthe premises equipment and to receiving the authentication information,transmitting the subject media content program to the premises equipmentusing a terrestrial network, the transmitting being at the backup mediastream resolution associated with the premises equipment; receiving asecond message from the premises equipment indicating that the satellitereception quality level of the satellite transmission path is above thethreshold minimum satellite reception quality level; and in response toreceiving the second message from the premises equipment, discontinuingthe transmitting of the subject media content program to the premisesequipment using the terrestrial network.
 12. The computer-readablestorage device of claim 11, the operations further comprising: receivinga selection of the backup media stream resolution associated with thepremises equipment, the selection being from a plurality of availablebackup media stream resolutions.
 13. The computer-readable storagedevice of claim 11, wherein the backup delivery service is pricedaccording to the backup media stream resolution.
 14. Thecomputer-readable storage device of claim 11, wherein the backup mediastream resolution associated with the premises equipment is selectedfrom a group of line resolutions consisting of 1080, 720 and 480 lineresolutions.
 15. The computer-readable storage device of claim 11,wherein the backup delivery service is priced according to the thresholdminimum satellite reception quality level.
 16. A media content satellitedistribution system comprising: a premises equipment, a mediadistribution network server including a processor; a satellitetransmission connection connecting the media distribution network serverwith the premises equipment; a terrestrial network connecting the mediadistribution network server with the premises equipment; and acomputer-readable storage device having stored thereon computer readableinstructions for transmitting a subject media content program to thepremises equipment, wherein execution of the computer readableinstructions by a processor causes the processor to perform operationscomprising: receiving authentication information from the premisesequipment indicating that the premises equipment is associated with asatellite service subscription and is further associated with a backupdelivery service subscription designating a threshold minimum satellitereception quality level associated with the satellite transmissionconnection to the premises equipment and further designating a backupmedia stream resolution associated with the premises equipment;transmitting to the premises equipment, via the satellite transmissionconnection, a plurality of media content programs including the subjectmedia content program; receiving a first message from the premisesequipment indicating that a satellite reception quality level of thesatellite transmission connection is below the threshold minimumsatellite reception quality level associated with the premisesequipment, the first message including an identification of the subjectmedia content program; in response to receiving the first message fromthe premises equipment and to receiving the authentication information,transmitting the subject media content program to the premises equipmentusing the terrestrial network, the transmitting being at the backupmedia stream resolution associated with the premises equipment;receiving a second message from the premises equipment indicating thatthe satellite reception quality level of the satellite transmissionconnection is above the threshold minimum satellite reception qualitylevel; and in response to receiving the second message from the premisesequipment, discontinuing the transmitting of the subject media contentprogram to the premises equipment using the terrestrial network.
 17. Themedia content satellite distribution system of claim 16, the operationsfurther comprising: receiving a selection of the backup media streamresolution associated with the premises equipment, the selection beingfrom a plurality of available backup media stream resolutions.
 18. Themedia content satellite distribution system of claim 16, wherein thebackup delivery service is priced according to the backup media streamresolution.
 19. The media content satellite distribution system of claim16, wherein the backup media stream resolution associated with thepremises equipment is selected from a group of line resolutionsconsisting of 1080, 720 and 480 line resolutions.
 20. The media contentsatellite distribution system of claim 16, wherein the backup deliveryservice is priced according to the threshold minimum satellite receptionquality level.